Washing machine



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July 1940- K. CLARK 2,208,662

WASFING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l m4 J il I INVENTOR.

38 36 ,2; 24 3 A hE/VOHLL CLH/ilt A TTORNEYS.

Patented July-23, 1940 NITED a' WASHING MACHINE Kendall Clark, South Bend, Ind., assignor to Bendix Home Appliances, Ina, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware This invention relates to washing machines and the like, and is illustrated as embodied in a machine operated automatically in a predetermined cycle to wash and rinse and dry clothes and similar materials.

An object of the invention is to provide simple non-mechanical means for controlling the drain of such a machine and applying suction thereto, and preferably for ejecting the waste washing solution under suiiicient power to insure eflicient drainage even if the waste solution has to be raised high enough to be emptied into a set-tub or the like. Preferably the power for operating the drainage means is derived from a fluid under pressure, as for example the water in the supply main or other supply connection. The relatively small amount of water so used is ejected from the machine along with the waste washing solution.

Other objects and features of the invention,

including various novel combinations of parts and desirable particular constructions, will be apparent from thefollowing description of the illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the machine, partly in a plane just inside the nearest wall of the cabinet, and partly broken away and shown in a plane centrally of the machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the drain controlling means, with the drain closed;

Figure 3 is a similar section of some of the parts shown in Figure 2, but with the drain open;

Figure 4 is another view of the drain controlling means, the right half being in section on the line d-fl of Figure 2, and the left half being in elevation and looking from right to left in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the machine.

The particular machine illustrated in the drawings includes a cylindrical horizontal tub l8 supported on saddles i2 and having associated therewith panels I 4 forming a cabinet for the machine.

Inside the tub in is a perforated clothes drum or cylinder it, provided with suitable baiiies, and

supported by means of a drive shaft l8 rotatably journaled in bearings carried by one end of the tub ill. The shaft I8 is provided with a pulley driven by a belt 20 from a two-speed transmission 22 connected to a motor 24.

50 The machine is provided with a hinged glazed door 26, adapted to be swung downwardly to open position to permit loading the machine through alined openings in the ends of the tub Ill and drum l6 opposite the shaft it. It is also pro- 5 vided with a soap door 28, through which soap powder or similar material can be introduced gradually, at the beginning of the cycle, while the operator watches the formation of suds through the door 28.

The two-speed transmission 22 is controlled by 5 a shift lever 28 actuated to shift into high gear, for centrifugally drying the clothes after the waisiiiog is completed, by means such as a soleno The washing solution (1. e., in the illustrated 10 v machine, the water) is introduced by spraying it into the drum it between the door 26 and the edge of the opening in the end of the drum, through a nozzle connected to a conduit 32. The cold and hot water, under-pressure usually that 15 of the city mains, is introduced into the conduit it from a pipe or other source 38 of cold water, and a similar source (not shown) of hot water, under the control of valves 36 actuated by solenoids 38 and 40. 20

The drainage of waste washing solution, at the completion of the washing step, is through a drain 42 controlled by means described below, and which means is controlled by a solenoid coil 54, to a drainage pipe or hose 48, which may for 25 example empty into a set-tub or the like, or directly into a connection to the city drains.

The machine illustrated is driven automatically through a complete washing-rinsing-drying cycle under the control of a cyclic timer switch 48 30 shown in detail diagrammatically in Figure 5. This switch includes a shaft 5|], driven slowly by a small constant-speed motor 52through reduction gearing 54 and a one-way ratchet connection 56 which permits the shaft to be advanced manually by turning a handle 58.

The shaft carries a series of timer cams 80 adapted to open and close switches comprising spring contacts 82 adapted to engage a contact bar 64 connected to one of the line wires 66. These contacts are shown as five in number, and 40 control circuits from line wire 66 to the other line wire 68, respectively through:

(1) Motors 24. and 52 in parallel. This circuit, after once being closed by manually turning handle 58, remains closed until the completion 45 of the cycle.

(2) Solenoid M. The drainage operations controlled by this solenoid are further described below. 0

(3) The transmission controlling solenoid 30.

(4) The hot water controlling solenoid 48.

(5) The cold water controlling solenoid 38.

The circuits through solenoids 38, 40, and 38 preferably all pass through a float switch 10 controlled by a float in a float chamber I2 communicating with the interior of the tub I 8. The opening of the float switch I8 when the water reaches a predetermined level cuts ofl the supply of water regardless of whether contacts 82 are open or closed. This switch 18 also prevents energiza tion of solenoid 38 to shift into high gear for centrifugal extraction, so long as the machine is full of water.

Cold water controlling solenoid 38 is in series with a thermostatic switch 14 controlled by the temperature of the water entering the conduit 32, so that when both of the solenoids 38 and 48 are energized the water entering the machine will be at a substantially constant temperature. A manual switch 16 may be provided, if desired, to be closed for example when washing woolens. to insure that this constant temperature will not be exceeded when solenoid 48 is energized, regardless of whether or not the normal circuit through the solenoid 38 is closed.

The machine as so far described, and its method of operation, are more fully described and are claimed in application No. 129,429, flled March 6, 1937, by John W. Chamberlin and by Rex Earl -Bassett, Jr., and in application No. 129,412, flled March 6, 1937, by Adiel Y. Dodge.

The present invention relates to controlling the drainage of a machine of this general type, and to causing the drainage to take place under substantial pressure sufllcient, for example, to lift the waste water high enough to eject it into a set-tub or the like.

In the arrangement illustrated, the solenoid 44 has a central sealed tube 88 of non-magnetic material at its axis, in which is arranged the tubular core 82 of the solenoid. The core 82 is sleeved loosely upon the stem 84 of a valve having at its lower end a conical head 88 adapted to seat against a valve seat about an opening into a valve casing 88. The head 86 also serves as a lower abutment upon which the core 82 rests when the solenoid 44 is not energized.

The upper end of the valve stem 84 is provided with a suitable abutment 98, for example a C washer snapped into grooves in the valve stem. The abutment 88 is spaced some distance above the end of the core 82, so that when the solenoid 44 is energized the upwardly-moving core 82 strikes the abutment 98 with a substantial impact, insuring that the valve 88 will break loose from its seat. The water pressure tends to hold valve 88 on its seat when it is closed, but equalizes as soon as the valve is oil its seat.

The valve casing 88 is shown integral with a section 92, formed with a venturi or other restricted section 84 to produce suction on a connection 96 to the drain 42, the section 92 in effect forming the end portion of the outlet conduit 46. A pressure conduit 98 connects the intake I88 of the valve casing 88 to the cold wate supply pipe 34, ahead of the valve 86. r

The solenoid coil 44 may be inclosed in a suitable protective housing I82.

The end of the valve casing 88 is closed by a threaded plug I84 carrying a packing gland for an adjustable needle valve I86 controlling a passage I88 through which the high-pressure water reaches the venturi 84 to produce suction acting on the drain connection 96. The passage I88 is formed in the end or an otherwise closed sleeve 8 secured in a bushing I I2 flxed in the valve casing 88 just ahead of the seat for valve 86. The bushing H2 and plug I84 define a space into which the seat of-valve 88 opens, and which communicates with passage I88 around the needle valve I85.

A piston valve H4 is movably sleeved on the fixed sleeve H8, and is normally urged by a spring II 8 to close against the wall of the opening into the venturi 84, thereby shutting oil the drain connection 96. When the valve 86 is opened, water under pressure passes from the interior of sleeve IIII through passages II8 into an annular space between sleeve I I8 and piston valve II4, thereby forcing the piston valve to the right against the resistance of spring II6 to establish communication between the drain connection 96 and the venturi 84.

In operation, the operator fllls the machine with a load of clothes or other materials, and then turns the handle 58 to close the circuits through the motors 24 and 52. The machine then automatically fills with water, while the operator adds soap materials through door 28 as may be required. When the water reaches a predetermined level, the fl'oat switch 18 opens. During this time, and throughout the washing operation, the valve 88 is closed, and spring II8 operates the piston valve II4 to close the drain.

At the end of the washing operation, solenoids 38 and 48 are de-energized, and the circuit through the solenoid 44 is closed. This opens the drain by causing the water pressure to force the piston valve II4 back, and at the same time causes water under pressure to pass through the venturi to produce a suction acting on the 'drain connection 96. The drain usually is arranged to remain open until the end of the cycle, first while the clothes are rinsed by injecting more water through conduit 32 with the drain open, then while the clothes are distributed uniformly around the periphery of the drum I6, and flnally (after the energization of the solenoid 38 to give high speed) while the clothes are partially dried by centrifugal extraction.

While one illustrative embodiment has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit the scope of my invention to that particular embodiment, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine or the like having a drain and a source of fluid under pressure, the combination of a conduit having a restricted section producing a suction and connected to the drain, a valve yieldingly urged to a position to shut ofl' the connection between the drain and said section, a valve for connecting the source of fluid under pressure to said conduit to cause a suction in said section, and means acted on by the fluid under pressure when the second valve is open to react on the first valve and open it.

2. In a. washing machine or the like having a drain and a source of washing fluid under pressure arranged to be connected to fill said washing machine and to be disconnected therefrom when a predetermined level is reached, the combination of a conduit having a restricted section producing a suction and connected to the drain, a valve yieldingly urged to a position to shut off the connection between the drain and said section, a valve for connecting the source of fluid to said conduit to cause a suction in said section, and means acted on by the fluid under pressure when the second valve is open to react on the first valve and open it,

3. In a washing machine or the like having a drain and a source of washing fluid under pressure arranged to be connected to fill said washing machine and to be disconnected therefrom when a predetermined level is reached, the combination of a conduit having a restricted section producing a suction and connected to the drain, a valve yieldingly urged to a position to shut ofi the connection between the drain and said section, a valve for connecting the source of fluid to said conduit to cause a suction in said section, means acted on by the fluid under pressure when the second valve is open to react on the'flrst valve and open it, and a control device having a plurality of controlling positions and arranged to close the second valve and to connect said source to the washing machine in one position and to open said second valve in another position.

4. A washing machine or the like having a drain, a conduit having a suction-producing restricted section connected to the drain, a source of fluid under pressure, valve means for connecting said source to said conduit, and a valve yieldingly urged to a position shutting 011 the drain from said section and shifted to open position by the pressure of the fluid when the valve means is open.

5. A washingmachine or the like having a drain, fluid-pressure suction-producing means connected to the drain, a source of fluid under pressure, valve means for connecting said source to said means, and a valve yleldingly urged to a position shutting off the drain from said means and shifted to open position by the pressure of the fluid when the valve means is open.

6. A washing machine or the like having a drain, a conduit having a lateral inlet opening connected to said drain, a source of fluid under pressure, a. tubular nozzle member projecting axially into the conduit and connected to a source of fluid under pressure, a sleeve member slidable in said conduit around said nozzle member and adapted to close said lateral inlet opening, and means to slide said sleeve member in the conduit to open and close the lateral inlet opening.

7. A washing machine or the like having a drain, a conduit having a lateral inlet opening connected to said drain, a source of fluid under pressure, a tubular nozzle member projecting axially into the conduit and connected to a source of fluid under pressure, a sleeve member slidable in said conduit around said nozzle member and adapted to close said lateral inlet opening, and means operated by the pressure of fluid in the nozzle member to move said sleeve.

8. A washing machine or the like having a drain, a conduit having a lateral inlet opening connected to said drain, a source of fluid under pressure, a tubular nozzle member projecting axially into the conduit and connected to a source of fluid under pressure, a sleeve member slidable in said conduit around said nozzle member and adapted to close said lateral inlet opening, resilient means for urging the sleeve in a direction to close the lateral inlet opening, and means to conduct fluid from the nozzle member to one side of said sleeve to shift the sleeve in a direction to open the lateral inlet opening.

KENDALL CLARK. 

